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How many pieces can a dropped vase break into?
Imaginechina Limited / Alamy
The physics behind a dropped plate, a crumbled sugar cube, and a shattered glass shows striking similarities regarding how many pieces result from each object breaking.
For decades, researchers have recognized a universal behavior related to fragmentation, where objects break apart upon falling or colliding. If one counts the fragments of varying sizes and plots their distribution, a consistent shape emerges regardless of the object that is broken. Emmanuel Villemaux from the University of Aix-Marseille in France has formulated equations to illustrate these shapes, thereby establishing universal laws of fragmentation.
Instead of concentrating on the appearance of cracks leading to an object’s breakup, Villermaux employed a broader approach. He considered all potential fragment configurations that could result in shattering. Some configurations produce precise outcomes, such as a vase breaking into four equal parts; however, he focused on capturing the most probable set that represents chaotic breakage, namely the one with the highest entropy. This mirrors methods used to derive laws concerning large aggregates of particles in the 19th century, he notes. Villermaux also applied the principles of physics that govern changes in fragment density during shattering, knowledge previously uncovered by him and his colleagues.
By integrating these two elements, they succeeded in deriving a straightforward equation that predicts the size distribution of fragments in a broken object. To verify its accuracy, Villermaux compared it against a number of earlier experiments involving glass rods, dry spaghetti, plates, ceramic tubes, and even fragments of plastic submerged in water and waves crashing during stormy weather. Overall, the fragmentation patterns observed in each of these experiments conformed to his novel law and reflected the universal distribution shapes previously noted by researchers.
He also experimented by dropping objects from varying heights to crush sugar cubes. “This was a summer endeavor with my daughters. I had done it a long time ago when they were young, and later revisited the data to further illustrate my concept,” Villermaux explains. He observes that this equation fails to hold when randomness is absent, or the fragmentation process is overly uniform, as occurs when a liquid stream divides into uniform droplets based on the deterministic rules of fluid dynamics, or in instances when fragments engage with each other during fragmentation.
Mr. Ferenc and his colleagues at the University of Debrecen in Hungary argue that the graphical pattern highlighted in Villermaux’s analysis is so fundamentally universal that it may derive from a more extensive principle. Simultaneously, they express surprise at how broadly applicable it is, as well as its adaptability to accommodate specific variations, such as in plastics where cracking can be “healed.”
Fragmentation is not merely a captivating challenge in physics; a deeper understanding could significantly impact energy expenditures in mining operations or guide preparations for increasing rockfalls in mountainous areas as global temperatures tend to rise, Kuhn remarks.
Looking ahead, it may prove beneficial to explore not only the sizes of the fragments but also their shape distributions, suggests Kuhn. Additionally, identifying the smallest conceivable size of a fragment remains an unresolved issue, according to Villermaux.
Galaxy clusters create gravitational lenses, bending light around them
NASA, ESA, Michael Gladders (University of Chicago); Acknowledgment: Judy Schmidt
Quantum physics might hold the key to unraveling the mysteries of celestial objects that remain undetectable or poorly observed through telescopes.
In our quest to comprehend the universe, we gather and scrutinize light emitted by stars and various celestial entities. However, this light often doesn’t travel in a straight path. When passing near massive entities like planets or black holes, the light’s trajectory can curve, resulting in a distorted image, akin to having an additional lens in the process.
Considering smaller objects that lack significant mass, traditional imaging strategies often fall short when dealing with “microlensing” effects. Researchers including Liu Zhenning at the University of Maryland have demonstrated that light analysis protocols that respect the quantum aspects may yield superior results.
They aimed to utilize the quantum features of light to deduce the mass of objects responsible for microlensing. According to Liu, microlensing is detectable when light brightness increases, signaling the presence of an object obscuring our view. However, if this object doesn’t possess substantial mass, its weight remains indeterminate from the light characteristics already measured by the telescope. Such bodies could encompass solitary small black holes or wandering planets.
Given that light consists of photons—quantum particles—there’s valuable information embedded in the quantum nature of its journey to Earth. Notably, when a photon encounters multiple paths around an object, the travel time discrepancies impact its quantum properties. Due to the wave-like characteristics of quantum particles, these photons can traverse both paths simultaneously, mimicking a water wave around a rock. The team’s methodology is adept at analyzing the time differences of both routes, which can be transformed into mass estimates for the objects.
Liu mentions that while planets and black holes inducing microlensing may not be completely imperceptible by other means, these techniques could necessitate more light collection, implying the need for larger telescopes. Quantum methods, however, can function effectively even with smaller photon counts.
For instance, his team’s mathematical assessments indicate that their protocol is particularly effective for stars located in the galactic bulge, a section of the Milky Way where dark matter candidates have been previously identified using gravitational lensing techniques. Because this new approach doesn’t demand a sophisticated quantum computer and can be employed with more conventional devices combined with classical computers to capture and analyze individual photons, it’s poised for real-world testing in the near future.
Daniel Oy, a professor at the University of Strathclyde in the UK, asserts that quantum methodologies significantly enhance the extraction of time-delayed data from light, an enhancement he characterizes as a pivotal advancement in quantum technology. He posits that since quantum theory sets limits on measurement precision in physics, it aligns perfectly with the challenge of detecting faint astronomical signals like those from a limited number of photons.
The findings of 1I/Oumuamua, 2I/Borisov, and 3I/ATLAS have revealed a substantial number of interstellar objects in the cosmos. Their widespread presence suggests that such objects are also found in protoplanetary disks, essential sites for planet formation. In these disks, interstellar objects could potentially bypass the 1-meter (3.3-foot) barrier in the traditional model of planet formation, initiating the creation of giant exoplanets.
This colorized image was taken by the CaSSIS instrument aboard ESA’s Trace Gas Orbiter on October 3, 2025, and displays the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. Image credit: ESA/TGO/CaSSIS.
Interstellar objects, including asteroids and comets, are those that have been expelled from their original star systems and are now traversing interstellar space, occasionally intersecting with other star systems.
Since 2017, astronomers have identified three interstellar objects passing through our solar system: 1I/’Oumuamua, 2I/Borisov, and the latest, 3I/ATLAS.
“Nevertheless, interstellar objects may exert a more significant influence than it appears at first glance,” states Professor Susanne Falzner, an astronomer at Jülich National Park.
“Interstellar objects could potentially incite planet formation, particularly around high-mass stars.”
Planets are formed from dusty disks that surround young stars through a process known as accretion. This theory posits that smaller particles gradually coalesce into larger objects, culminating in the formation of planet-sized bodies.
However, researchers have faced challenges in explaining how accretion can create objects larger than a meter amidst the chaotic collisions of planet-forming disks surrounding young stars. In simulations, the rocks tend to either bounce off each other or break apart upon collision, rather than adhering together.
Interstellar objects might help circumvent this issue. The researchers’ model illustrates how the dust-laden disks surrounding young stars can gravitationally capture millions of interstellar objects akin to 1I/’Oumuamua, which is estimated to be around 100 meters (328 feet) long.
“Interstellar space will supply ready-made seeds for the next phase of planet formation,” said Professor Falzner.
If interstellar objects could act as seeds for planets, it would also resolve another enigma.
Gas giant planets like Jupiter are scarce around smaller and colder stars, referred to as M dwarfs, but are more frequently found around larger stars similar to the Sun.
However, the lifespan of a planet-forming disk around a Sun-like star lasts only about 2 million years before dissipating, complicating the formation of gas giant planets in such a brief time frame.
That said, if captured interstellar objects serve as seeds for accretion, the planet-forming process could hasten, allowing giant planets to form within the lifetime of the disk.
“The more massive a star is, the more effectively it can capture interstellar objects in its disk,” Professor Falzner explained.
“As a result, planet formation seeded with interstellar objects should proceed more efficiently around these stars, offering a rapid pathway to forming giant planets.”
“And their swift formation is precisely what we’ve observed.”
Large Magellanic Cloud, Milky Way Satellite Galaxy, nearby star SDSS J0715-7334 discovered
Josh Lake/NASA/ESA
A star relatively close to us appears to be almost devoid of heavy elements produced by supernovae and may be a direct descendant of the universe’s first star.
Astronomers postulate that the initial stars consisted solely of hydrogen and helium, remnants from the Big Bang. It was only after these stars exhausted their fuel and exploded as supernovae that heavier elements could disperse beyond helium. The gas enriched with these new elements formed the subsequent generation of stars, with this cycle continuing, ultimately producing the elements we see in today’s stars and planets.
Most stars observed in our galaxy belong to multiple generations and are excluded from this early star population. However, “star archaeologists” have discovered nearly untouched stars believed to be from the “second generation,” born from the remnants of the early stellar explosions.
Recently, Alexander Z from the University of Chicago and his team identified the star with the lowest total amount of “metals,” referring to all elements besides hydrogen or helium, in the known universe. Named SDSS J0715-7334, this star resides in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way, and has a metal content approximately 0.8 times that of our Sun, making it about 20,000 times less metallic.
After initially detecting the star in data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, due to its notably low metallicity, JI and his colleagues conducted observations with the Magellan telescope at the Las Campanas Observatory in Chile. They confirmed that while the star has minimal iron, comparable to other nearly untouched stars, it also exhibits very low carbon levels, which are not typical for Milky Way stars.
“It’s quite an exciting discovery regarding iron levels. This is even more extreme than some of the other examples we have previously found,” said Anke Ardern-Arentsen from Cambridge University. “However, most interestingly, this star has significantly less carbon compared to natural stars we know about.” This observation might imply that it formed in a distinctly different manner than stars found in the Milky Way, according to Anna Frebel from MIT.
To form a star like SDSS J0715-7334, a relatively small and cool gas mass is required. Typically, this process necessitates heavier elements with high-energy electrons, such as carbon, which aid in cooling the gas effectively. The scarcity of carbon in this star complicates this process.
One potential alternative explanation is the presence of a cloud of cosmic dust made up of heavier elements. This dust may contribute to cooling, a mechanism not observed early in the universe’s history, at least within our own galaxies.
“There’s an issue here. Do varying environments across different regions of the universe cool gas at different rates during the early formation epochs?” Frebel questions. “We can raise the question of why different cooling rates occur, but we lack a satisfactory answer.”
World Capital of Astronomy: Chile
Discover the astronomical wonders of Chile. Visit some of the globe’s most advanced observatories and gaze upon the stars in one of the clearest night skies on Earth.
During a House Committee hearing on “unidentified, unusual phenomena,” videos were presented, allegedly depicting missiles being launched in 2024 at an object referred to as an “orb” off the coast of Yemen.
The videos were part of a task force convened to discuss the declassification of federal secrets, focusing on “unidentified anomalous phenomena” (UAP), which refers to unexplained objects spotted in the sky.
Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) indicated that the footage was captured on October 30, 2024, showcasing an unidentified object tracked by an MQ-9 drone, commonly known as a Reaper.
Burlison stated that a second MQ-9 drone, not visible in the video, launched a Hellfire missile at the object.
The footage appears to show a missile speeding from the left side of the screen, striking the object, which then appears to deform and fall, with a small item faintly emerging from behind it.
Burlison commented, “It continued, and it looked like the fragments were drawn to it. I’m not going to speculate on what it is, but why are we being kept from this information?”
He added that the video originates from whistleblowers and that an independent review is currently underway.
The Task Force on Declassification of Federal Secrets was established in February by the House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman James Comer, to “examine the Confidentialization of Materials in the Public Interest.” I stated it back then.
Tuesday’s hearing was titled “Restore public trust through UAP transparency and whistleblower protection.”
The public has long been intrigued by the existence of UAPs, often known as UFOs, which could signify evidence of extraterrestrial life or undisclosed programs, yet neither narrative has provided definitive proof.
In November 2024, the Pentagon released its annual report on UAPs, stating that some reported sightings were identified as balloons, birds, or unmanned aerial systems.
According to the report, several cases were closed due to insufficient evidence for analysis, while 21 cases were flagged for further investigation. The Department of Defense’s All Domain Anomaly Resolution Office is leading the charge to gather and analyze UAP reports.
The report emphasizes, “To date, AARO has not found evidence of extraterrestrial existence, activity, or technology.”
Furthermore, it noted that “none of these resolved cases demonstrate advanced foreign hostile capabilities or groundbreaking aerospace technology.”
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) expressed during the hearing that skepticism regarding UAPs leads to rushed conclusions.
“For too long, the matter of unidentified, unusual phenomena, commonly referred to as UAPs, has been shrouded in secrecy, stigma, and sometimes outright dismissal,” she stated. “Today, I want to clarify: this is not science fiction or conjecture.”
She emphasized that this issue pertains to national security and “the right of the American people to know,” noting she has engaged with many military whistleblowers.
U.S. Air Force veteran Dylan Boland recounted at the hearing that he encountered a UAP in 2012 while stationed at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.
Borland, an expert in geospatial information, described returning to the barracks to witness “a long, 100-foot equilateral triangle taking off near the base’s NASA hangar.”
“The craft that disrupted my phone was silent, and its material appeared fluid or dynamic,” he reported. “I was directly beneath this triangular craft for several minutes, and in seconds it ascended to commercial jet elevation without any noticeable motion impairment, sound, or wind displacement.”
It remains unclear what the object was off the coast of Yemen when the missile was reportedly fired.
Luna shared with NBC News on Tuesday evening that she is uncertain about the object’s identity in the video, but believes the public deserves both answers and access to a video that has been overly classified by the government.
“I haven’t heard of balloons that can behave like this particular object,” she remarked.
“But what I assert is that, in the name of science and national security, we must obtain answers to these questions and treat this issue with the seriousness it warrants,” she concluded.
Military tensions around Yemen heightened after Houthi rebels targeted commercial vessels in November 2023. Iran-backed extremists claimed their objective was to support Hamas amid the conflict in Gaza.
Using Enhanced Resolution Imagers and Spectrographs (ERIS) from ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT), two teams of astronomers have discovered a protoplanet candidate nestled within a spiral disk surrounding the young star HD 135344B.
This image depicts a spiral disk surrounding Young Star HD 135344b. The observations made using the Enhanced Resolution Imager and Spectrograph (ERIS) identified a candidate planet contributing to the spiral structure in the disk, marked by a white circle. Image credits: ESO/Maio et al.
“While we may never witness the formation of Earth, this is a significant finding,” says Francesco Maio, a doctoral researcher at the University of Florence in Italy and lead author of a paper published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.
Maio and his colleagues identified protoplanet candidates in the surrounding protoplanetary disks of HD 135344b. This F8V star, approximately 11.9 million years old, is situated 135 parsecs (440 light-years) from the Sun, in the Lupus constellation.
The protoplanet is estimated to be twice the size of Jupiter, located at a distance from its host star comparable to that of Neptune from the Sun.
It has been observed maturing at the periphery of the protoplanetary disk as it evolves into a fully-fledged planet.
Similar protoplanets have been detected around other young stars, often exhibiting intricate features such as rings, gaps, and spirals.
Astronomers long suspected that these structures were sculpted by forming planets, clearing away material as they orbit their parent stars.
Until now, however, no one has identified a planet actively shaping these features.
In the discs of HD 135344B, previous observations of swirling spiral arms were made by another team using VLT’s Sphere instrument.
Yet prior observations did not find evidence of any planets forming within this disk.
Utilizing VLT’s ERIS instrument, Maio and his collaborators may have discovered their primary suspect.
They identified a planetary candidate located at the base of one of the spiral arms of the disk, aligning with theoretical predictions about potential planets responsible for such patterns.
“What marks this detection as potentially groundbreaking is our ability to directly observe the signal from the protoplanet, unlike many earlier observations,” he notes.
“This gives us greater confidence in the existence of this planet, as we can see the light it emits.”
This image illustrates possible sub-brown dwarf companions orbiting Young Star V960 Mon. Candidate objects were detected using ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) and the new Enhanced Resolution Imager and Spectrograph (ERIS). The ERIS data is shown in orange, overlaid with prior dusty disk images from VLT’s Sphere instruments (yellow) and ALMA (blue). Image credits: ESO/A. Dasgupta/ALMA/ESO/NAOJ/NRAO/Weber et al.
In a separate study, Anuroop Dasgupta, a doctoral researcher at ESO and Diego Portales University, along with colleagues, observed another young star using the ERIS instrument. V960 is located 1637.7 parsecs (5,342 light-years) away in the Monoceros constellation.
Prior observations using Sphere equipment and large millimeter/sub-millimeter arrays (ALMA) revealed that the material orbiting V960 Mon is shaped into complex spiral arms.
These observations also indicated that large clumps of material around the star undergo gravitational instability, contracting and collapsing—each capable of forming a planet or larger body, thus fragmenting the material.
Dasgupta and his collaborators managed to identify a brown dwarf or sub-brown dwarf companion around V960 Mon.
“Using ERIS, we aimed to discover compact, bright fragments indicative of companions in the disk,” he explains. Their findings are detailed in a paper published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.
“One potential companion object was found very close to one of the observed spiral arms in the Universe and in ALMA data.”
“This object could represent a planet or a brown dwarf—larger than a planet but lacking sufficient mass to shine like a star.”
“If confirmed, this companion could be the first clear identification of a planet or brown dwarf formed via gravitational instability.”
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F. Maio et al. 2025. Development of Protoplanet candidates embedded using VLT/ERIS on HD135344B disks. A&A 699, L10; doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202554472
Anuroop Dasgupta et al. 2025. VLT/ERIS observations for the V960 series: dust-embedded sub-brown dwarf objects formed by gravitational instability? ApJL 988, L30; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ade996
Identified during a significant survey of a large sloping object (lido) and classified as 2020 VN40, this TransNeptunian entity is the first confirmed object that completes one orbit around the Sun for every ten orbits of Neptune. This discovery, detailed in a paper published in the Journal of Planetary Science, aids researchers in comprehending the behavior of distant objects in the outer solar system and their formation. It lends support to the theory that various remote objects are momentarily “captured” by the gravitational pull of Neptune as they traverse space.
Artist’s impressions of the Transneptunian object. Image credits: NASA/ESA/G. Bacon, stsci.
“This marks a major advancement in our understanding of the outer solar system,” remarked Dr. Rosemary Pike, an astronomer at the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
“It demonstrates that even the most remote areas influenced by Neptune can harbor objects, offering fresh insights into the evolution of the solar system.”
“This is merely the beginning,” commented Dr. Katherine Bolk, an astronomer at the Institute of Planetary Science.
“We are opening new windows into the history of the solar system.”
The discovery of 2020 VN40 was facilitated by the Lido Survey, which focused on identifying unusual objects in the outer solar system.
This research utilized the Canadian French Hawaii Telescope for primary observations, with supplemental observations conducted by the Gemini Observatory and Magellan Bird.
The study aimed to locate remnants with orbits extending well above and below the plane of Earth’s orbit around the Sun—an area of the outer solar system that has not been thoroughly examined.
“We’ve witnessed considerable effort and extensive results,” stated Dr. Samantha Lawler, an astronomer at the University of Regina and a member of the Lido team.
The average distance of VN40 in 2020 is approximately 139.5 times that of Earth’s distance from the Sun, following a notably tilted trajectory around the solar system.
The object becomes even more intriguing when considering its relationship with Neptune.
Unlike most objects that, based on their orbital duration ratios, are nearest to the Sun when Neptune is distant, the 2020 VN40 reaches its closest point to the Sun when Neptune is relatively nearby, based on its positional perspective above the solar system.
The inclination of the object’s orbit indicates that it is not positioned closely, as the 2020 VN40 is significantly lower than the general level of the solar system.
All other known resonant TransNeptunian objects have orbits that prevent such alignment when approaching the Sun, even from a flat perspective.
“This new discovery is like uncovering hidden rhythms in familiar songs,” expressed Dr. Ruth Murray Clay, an astronomer at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
“It has the potential to alter our understanding of the movement of distant objects.”
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Rosemary E. Pike et al. 2025. Lido: Discovery of a 10:1 resonator with a new, obsolete state. Planet. SCI. J 6, 156; doi:10.3847/psj/addd22
Elon Musk and Donald Trump have ended their friendship. Tensions flared between them mid-week, with both exchanging sharp criticisms. Four days after their public clash, I declare Musk the loser of this battle; the seemingly unstoppable force has met its match with the immovable object.
According to colleagues Hugo Lowell and Andrew Ross: On Thursday, Elon Musk mocked Donald Trump’s bounce by commenting on his connection with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The US president threatened to revoke federal contracts and tax incentives for Musk’s companies during this extraordinary social media spat that erupted among his former allies. This latest jab at Trump highlights Musk’s criticism of a Republican spending bill.
“Without me, Trump would lose the election, the Democrats would gain control of the House, and Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate,” Musk tweeted on X.
The repercussions were swift. Tesla’s stock, already grappling with difficulties, plunged 15%, wiping approximately $150 billion off the market. The implications for Trump and the Republican Party could take longer to unfold, as the midterm elections for the US Congress won’t occur until later next year.
When Trump and Musk were allies, many liberals predicted a tumultuous public fallout. I didn’t anticipate such an outcome. Musk appeared robust and allied with the formidable Trump. The Republican campaign needed a substantial cash influx, which Musk could provide.
However, Trump revealed last week that several of his closest advisers have left dramatically, victims of what he termed “Trump craziness.” Musk seems to follow a similar pattern. A notable example is Steve Bannon, once a top strategist for Trump, who was ousted from the White House but is now hosting a podcast scrutinizing Trump’s actions. Bannon spent last week calling for Musk’s ousting. Trump, not realizing he is often the common denominator in these fiery departures, appears similar to Musk; by Sunday, he had tweeted about the Los Angeles riots, retweeting Vice President JD Vance with patriotic emojis while targeting California Governor Gavin Newsom.
The conflict between Musk and Trump underlined America’s dependency on a single company for its space capabilities. During his outburst, Musk threatened to dismantle SpaceX’s Dragon Rocket. What would the nation do without him? In a pinch, perhaps another billionaire with a rocket could suffice, even with a pop star on board.
Trump and Musk will shake hands at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championship in Philadelphia on March 22nd. Photo: Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images
This spat has also brought to light Musk’s relative vulnerabilities. Musk threatened to dismantle the Dragon Rocket and quickly backed down from his ultimatum regarding requests on X. Meanwhile, Trump has remained silent online, not retaliating against Musk. This indicates the overarching theme of his second administration; Musk often targets those with less power and wealth, but when faced with significant challenges, he retreats. Recall his enthusiastic challenge to Mark Zuckerberg about arranging a cage fight in 2023. Zuckerberg responded, both intrigued and more robust, while Musk seemed outmatched. He eventually backed down. As for Trump, he claims he could save money by canceling government contracts with Musk. Musk replied, “Make my day,” but subsequently scaled back his threats.
In the long term, what does this tragic unraveling of alliances mean for Trump and Musk? To date, Musk has reportedly lost about $90 billion in net worth, an astounding figure according to the Bloomberg Billionaire Index. He remains the world’s wealthiest individual with nearly $100 billion.
Perhaps the bigger loser is democracy itself. Recently, he polled his followers about establishing a centrist political party he wants to call the “American Party.” He possesses the resources to make it a reality but has not indicated any centrist political inclinations over the past two years. His presence in political gatherings has proven more repulsive than magnetic, significantly affecting key elections like the Wisconsin Supreme Court contest earlier this year.
Read more about how the Trump-Musk feud reveals the perils of concentrating power in one individual here.
Read more about the mutual damage inflicted by Trump and Musk here.
Discover more about the economic consequences of their feud concerning Tesla here.
AI isn’t as capable of making movies as executives claim
Director John Wick and Chad Stahelsky. Photo: David Lee/Thunder Road Pictures/Allstar
Last Thursday, I attended a showcase featuring eight short films generated using the Runway Artificial Intelligence tool. In a pre-screening discussion, Runway’s co-founder and chief design officer Alejandro Matamala-Ortiz stated that the two-hour AI-generated film was “close.” Lionsgate executives explained to New York Magazine that there are many invisible production processes beyond just the final footage shown in theaters. Lionsgate has entered a contract with Runway, using some of its archives to train AI for cutting-edge projects.
The film I observed had a quality that echoed the executives’ comments on AI. Six of the eight shorts evoked little emotion. They lacked character and depth, resembling placeholders. While AI can create any imaginable image, the film lacked true creativity. The smooth, composite textures from multiple AI-generated images rendered them as intriguing and stylish as a basic first draft. If directors don’t take the time to elevate their work beyond a typical mid-journey output, why would anyone want to watch them? One film, an anime revenge story centered around cherry blossom trees, made me chuckle. Another claimed to document the sporadic emergence of cicadas but primarily featured lens flares. It felt reminiscent of a mid-tier student film; most entries were muddled, and the cinematography lacked distinct perspectives. Runway claimed to have received 6,000 submissions from 300 creators in 2022. I shiver at the thought of a Clockwork Orange-style scenario where someone had to view all those entries.
After viewing these shorts, I believed they resembled student films, potentially due to the early stages of production techniques that filmmakers are grappling with. Since its submission to the IT Film Festival in April, Runway has introduced new features to its tools, with Google recently releasing its own video generation tool, Veo 3. The output is more refined compared to what I viewed last week.
The remaining two films ventured into compelling territories. One was a video essay titled Total Pixel Space, which proved to be thought-provoking. This meditation on the nature of AI-generated images emphasized how few images we encounter in realistic situations versus those that never happened, offering unfortunate insights into our visual culture.
“Total Pixel Space represents both ultimate determinism and ultimate freedom, laden with possibilities that await consciousness to shape meaning through choices,” the film’s narration stated. I noted that it highlights AI-rendered images confined to pixel parameters on screens but unable to exist physically. Considering our mortality, the film poses a poignant question: how will you utilize your time and choices? What do you choose to imbue with meaning?
“Total Pixel Space” won the Grand Prize in the contest. While it was a triumph, the film poses a specific challenge to Matamala-Ortiz’s viewpoint. If one extrapolates from the film festival output, will you really witness a two-hour video essay delineating the trajectory AI films will take? It’s rather rare for such a film to maintain interest for that long.
Another editor developed a character and her inner life—a fundamental requirement for live-action films—yet this seems an insurmountable hurdle in AI-produced cinema. AI struggles to recreate consistent facial expressions across various scenarios. Despite these limitations, I still advocate for short films. Occasionally, a surge of creativity produces stunning montages, capable of suggesting interdimensional travel. AI can produce hundreds of diverse backgrounds in seconds, achieving scenes that would otherwise require significant budgets. Editing can utilize these capabilities for impactful effects. Perhaps that’s the ultimate goal of AI: serving as an enhancer rather than a sole creator. Lionsgate’s VP remarked on similar ideas, indicating that AI tools can make a $100 million film appear even larger and more cinematic. “We amplify elements, ensuring a more significant, filmic experience,” he told New York.
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The Guardian has introduced a new feature within its app, developed in collaboration with computer scientists from Cambridge University.
The secure messaging function allows you to send messages to Guardian staff directly through the app, presenting a potential channel for news stories. To utilize this feature, tap on the three bars located at the bottom right of the Guardian app, scroll down to “More From the Guardian,” and select “Secure Messaging.” By saving a passphrase—consisting of randomly generated words—you can then create a secure channel for your messages. Sending a message to the Guardian operates similarly to ordinary app traffic, providing a layer of anonymity not found in traditional texting. Unlike conventional messages, secure messaging masks your activity on your device, making it appear as though you’re simply browsing the news.
For more detailed information about secure messaging, click here.
Recent studies indicate that humpback whales often collide with objects due to their surprisingly limited vision.
This gentle giant struggles to discern fine details until it is quite close, which may explain the unfortunate incidents of these animals becoming entangled in fishing nets or crashing into small vessels.
To gain insights into how humpback whales perceive their surroundings, a group of marine biologists examined the left eye of a deceased whale after it had been stranded.
In the study, the researchers found that the rear part of the whale’s eye was considerably thicker than anticipated. This suggests that the distance from the retina to the lens (the eye’s focal length) is much shorter than expected.
A shorter focal length implies that the whale’s capability to resolve finer details is significantly lower than previously believed.
This theory was further supported by the team’s count of the neurons responsible for transmitting visual information to the brain, which revealed a stark contrast.
While a typical human eye has around 40,000 retinal ganglion cells per square millimeter, humpback whales possess only about 180.
Humpback whales are known to collide with small boats as they fail to detect them – Credits: Getty Images/Marnie Griffith
This level of poor vision typically doesn’t hinder whales, but Professor Lori Schweikert from the University of North Carolina Wilmington noted in BBC Science Focus.
“Apart from prey, humans, and some bird species, many animals possess relatively low vision,” says Schweikert.
“However, their visual capabilities are often adequate for their survival needs in their natural habitats. For humpback whales, they may primarily need to recognize large shapes, such as a big school of prey or other swimming whales.”
Humpbacks can identify large objects from a distance, but finer details come into focus only when they are about 45-60 meters away, or within 3-4 lengths of their bodies.
This means whales may struggle to see thin strands of fishing nets.
“At close range, they should be able to identify such structures,” Schweikert adds.
About our experts
Professor Lori Schweicart serves as an assistant professor of biology and marine biology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Her research centers on the physiological mechanisms involved in light reception within marine settings.
A 2023 study by Professor Haino Falk and his team at Ladbou University revealed that not just black holes, but all cosmic entities can “evaporate” through a mechanism akin to Hawking radiation. Following the publication, the researchers were inundated with inquiries regarding the duration of this process. Their latest findings estimate that the universe’s conclusion is approximately 1078 years away. If only radiation, similar to Hawking radiation, is taken into account, the timeline shortens to just a few years. This represents the time required for a white dwarf—the most stable astronomical object—to collapse through a Hawking-like radiation process. Previous research, which overlooked this effect, had estimated the lifespan of white dwarfs to be around 101100 years.
An artistic depiction of neutron stars undergoing gradual ‘evaporation’ through Hawking-like radiation. Image credits: Daniëlle Futselaar/Artsource.nl.
“Thus, the ultimate conclusion of the universe will arrive significantly sooner than anticipated; however, rest assured, it will still take an incredibly long time,” noted Professor Falk.
In 1975, physicist Stephen Hawking proposed that particles and radiation could escape black holes, challenging the conventional framework of relativity.
Near the edge of a black hole, two transient particles emerge; one gets drawn into the black hole while the other successfully escapes.
A notable outcome of Hawking radiation is the gradual disintegration of black holes into particles and radiation.
This finding stands in opposition to Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity.
Professor Falk and his co-authors determined that the process of Hawking radiation applies to various objects with theoretically significant gravitational fields.
Their further calculations indicated that the “evaporation time” for an object is contingent entirely upon its density.
Surprisingly, neutron stars and stellar black holes have an identical decay time of 1067 years.
This result was unexpected, given that black holes possess a more intense gravitational field.
“However, black holes lack a surface,” remarked Dr. Michael Wandrack, a postdoctoral researcher at Radboud University.
“They reabsorb parts of their own radiation, which inhibits the process.”
“We also explored how long it would take for humans and the moon to evaporate via Hawking-like radiation: about 1090 years,” the researcher added.
“Naturally, other mechanisms could lead to faster disappearance for humans and the moon.”
“This research exemplifies an exciting interdisciplinary collaboration, merging astrophysics, quantum physics, and mathematics to yield new insights,” stated Professor Walter Van Suisilecom from Radboud University.
“By pursuing these inquiries and examining extreme scenarios, we aim to enhance our understanding of the theory. Hopefully, one day, we will unravel the enigma surrounding Hawking radiation.”
Using Nircam and Miri instruments installed in the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers created high-resolution images Herbig-Haro Object 49/50 (HH 49/50) is located approximately 630 light years away from the constellation of Chamaleon.
Webb observed Herbig Halo 49/50 in high resolution near-infrared light with Nircam and Miri Instruments. Image credits: NASA/ESA/CSA/STSCI.
The Herbig-Haro object is a small bright patch of nebula associated with protostals in the star-forming region.
These structures were first observed in the 19th century by American astronomer Sherburn Wesley Burnham, but were not recognized as a distinct type of ejection nebula until the 1940s.
The first astronomers to study them in detail were George Harbigue and Guillermo Halo, and they were later named.
Herbig Halo objects are formed in very specific circumstances. Hot gas discharged by the newborn star collides with the gas, hitting it at a speed of up to 250,000 kmh (155,000 mph), creating a bright shock wave.
They come in a wide range of shapes. The basic configuration is usually the same. Twin jets of hot gases are ejected in the opposite direction from the forming stars and flow through interstellar space.
“When NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope observed it in 2006, scientists called the HH 49/50 The Cosmic Tornado because of its helical appearance, but they were unsure about the nature of the fuzzy object at the tip of the “tornado.”
“Because of the high resolution of imaging, Webb provides a different visual impression of HH 49/50 by revealing fine features of impacted regions during the runoff, revealing fuzzy objects as distant spiral galaxies and displaying the oceans of distant background galaxies.”
The HH 49/50 is part of the Chamaeleon I Cloud Complex, one of the closest active star-forming regions.
“This cloud complex is likely to resemble the environment our Sun formed,” the astronomer said.
“Previous observations of the region show that HH 49/50 runoff is away from us at a rate of 100-300 km per second, and is just one feature of the larger runoff.”
“Webb’s Nircam and Miri’s HH 49/50 observations lash out on the area with the locations of shining hydrogen molecules, carbon monoxide molecules, and dust particles represented by orange and red.”
New Webb observations probe small spatial scale details that help astronomers model the properties of jets and understand how they affect the surrounding materials.
“The arc-shaped feature of the HH 49/50 refers to the source of this spill, similar to the water wake created by speeding boats,” the researchers said.
“Based on past observations, scientists suspect that the Protostal, known as the Cederblad 110 IRS4, is a plausible driver of jet activity.”
“The CED 110 IRS4 is a Class I Protostal, located about 1.5 light years from HH 49/50.”
“Class I Protostals are young objects (tens of thousands to a million years ago) at primetime when earning Mass.”
“They usually have an identifiable disc of the material surrounding it.
“Scientists have recently studied this protostal and used Webb’s Nilkah and Milli observations to obtain inventory of the ice composition of its environment.”
“Those detailed webb images of the HH 49/50 arcs can more accurately identify the orientation to the jet source, but not all arcs return in the same direction.”
“There is an interesting outcrop feature (in the top right of the main runoff) that could be another accidental accident of another runoff associated with slow precession of intermittent jet sources, for example.”
“Or alternatively, this feature could be the result of a major spill breaking apart.”
“The accidental galaxy at the tip of HH 49/50 is a much more distant, troublesome spiral galaxy.”
“There is a prominent central bulge, represented in blue, indicating the position of the old stars.”
“The bulge also gives hints from the sidelobes that suggest this could be a thin group.”
“The reddish masses within the spiral arm indicate a warm dust location and a group of formed stars.”
“The galaxies will show sheltered bubbles in these dusty areas, similar to the nearby galaxies Webb observed as part of the Phangs programme.”
“Webb captured these two unrelated objects with a lucky alignment.”
“For thousands of years, the edge of the HH 49/50 has moved outwards, eventually appearing to hide a distant galaxy.”
Using Near-infrared camera (nircam) Mid-infrared instrument (Mil)Advanced on a James Webbspace Telescope, astronomers took a stunning image of an edge-on-protoplanetary disc around a Herbig Halo object HH 30The Dark Cloud LDN 1551, is located in Taurus Molecular Cloud.
This Webb/nircam/miri shows the Herbig-Haro object HH 30. et al.
The Herbig-Haro object is a small bright patch of nebula associated with protostars in the star-forming region.
These structures were first observed in the 19th century by American astronomer Sherburn Wesley Burnham, but were not recognized as a distinct type of ejection nebula until the 1940s.
The first astronomers to study them in detail were George Harbigue and Guillermo Halo, and they were later named.
Herbig Halo objects are formed in very specific circumstances. Hot gas discharged by the newborn star collides with the gas, hitting it at a speed of up to 250,000 kmh (155,000 mph), creating a bright shock wave.
They come in a wide range of shapes. The basic configuration is usually the same. Twin jets of hot gases are ejected in the opposite direction from the forming stars and flow through interstellar space.
“HH 30 is an example of where this effluent gas takes the form of a narrow jet,” the astronomer said.
“The source star is on one end of the jet and is hidden behind an edge-on-protoplanetary disc illuminated by the star.”
Using Webb Instruments, researchers investigate HH 30 objects in great detail.
They also analyzed data from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and Atacama's Large Millimeter/Sub-Millimeter Array (ALMA).
“Long-wavelength data from Alma tracks the location of millimeter-sized dust particles in a narrow area on the middle surface of the disk,” they said.
“Short wavelength infrared data from Webb reveals the distribution of smaller dust grains.”
“These grains are one millionth of a meter in diameter. They are the size of a single bacteria.”
“Large dust grains are concentrated in the most dense portions of the disc, while small grains are much more widely used.”
“Combined with Alma's sharp radio-wavelength eyes, Webb's observations show that large dust particles must migrate within the disk and precipitate into a thin layer,” they added.
“Creating narrow, dense layers of dust is an important step in the formation of the planet.”
“In this densely populated area, dust grains together form pebbles, and ultimately form the planet itself.”
“In addition to the behavior of dust grains, images of Webb, Hubble and Alma reveal several different structures nested with each other.”
“A high-speed jet of gas appears at a 90-degree angle from the narrow central disc.”
“The narrow jet is surrounded by wider, cone-shaped spills.”
“Enclosing the cone runoff is a broad nebula that reflects the light from the young stars embedded in the disc.”
“Together, these data reveal that HH 30 is a dynamic location, where small dust grains and huge jets play a role in the formation of a new planet.”
A pair of planetary scientists from Brown University and the SETI Institute have uncovered ancient ice deep within Arrokoth, the Kuiper Belt object (486958) that was the focus of a flyby by NASA’s New Horizons mission on January 1, 2019. They suggest that billions of years ago when the object first formed, there was a chance that ancient ice formed by comets could be present. By developing a new model to study comet evolution, the researchers found that this endurance is not unique to Arrokoth but may also be found in many other objects in the Kuiper belt.
This composite image of Ultima Thule was compiled from data acquired when NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft flew by the object on January 1, 2019. This image combines enhanced color data (close to what the human eye can see) with detailed high-resolution panchromatic data. picture. Image credit: NASA / Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory / Southwest Research Institute / Roman Tkachenko.
“Using a fairly simple mathematical model, we now show that primordial ice can be trapped deep inside these objects for long periods of time,” said Dr. Sam Birch, a planetary scientist at Brown University. “Most of our community thought this ice should have disappeared long ago, but now we think that may not be the case.”
Planetary scientists have long struggled to understand what happens to the ice on these space rocks over time. The new study challenges traditional thermal evolution models and suggests that highly volatile ice on these objects may persist longer than previously thought.
A model created by Birch and SETI Institute researcher Orkan Umurkhan explains this phenomenon, indicating that the ice on these objects can endure due to their extremely low temperatures. This new idea may provide insight into the explosive nature of icy objects in the Kuiper belt when they approach the sun.
Ultimately, this study presents a new perspective on comet evolution and activity, challenging existing theories and paving the way for a deeper understanding of these celestial bodies and their origins.
Birch and Dr. Umruhan are co-investigators of NASA’s Comet Astrobiology Exploration Sample Return (CAESAR) mission, which aims to collect surface material from comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and return it to Earth for analysis, potentially shedding further light on comet evolution and activity.
The study is published in the journal Icarus, and the results could have implications for future space exploration missions and our understanding of the cosmos.
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Samuel PD Birch and Orkan M. Umruhan. 2024. 486958 CO ice and gas remain inside the Arokos. Icarus 413: 116027; doi: 10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116027
I had to let go of Pacific Drive, the unconventional fiction-inspired driving survival game I recommended last week. It’s not because it’s bad, not because it’s great, but because I invested over 20 hours of my time and now I’m short on it.
Furthermore, if I’m completely honest, it caught me off guard. In this game, you drive a beat-up old car and venture deeper into long-abandoned exclusion zones, exploring the anomalies you encounter. These anomalies range from pillars that suddenly emerge from the ground to menacing hurricanes that alter roads, all of which are thrilling, unique, and eerie.
However, what deterred me were the tourists. Occasionally, I’d spot a mannequin-like figure frozen in a menacing pose, seemingly harmless. But, when I looked away, I noticed it would sometimes change position or get closer to me. Uh-uh. No, thank you. That’s a hard pass right there.
Every review I read about Pacific Drive emphasizes how attached the reviewer becomes to their rickety old car, their sole companion on this enigmatic journey. They gradually repair and enhance the car with better parts and Ghostbusters-like gadgets to navigate the challenges of the outside world.
“I’m behind the wheel with a massive floodlight mounted on the side of the car for night missions, a contraption that (somehow) synthesizes fuel from the mysterious zone’s atmosphere, and an actual lifesaver. I also have a gadget that occasionally heals me,” PC gamer Christopher Livingston shares. “Most importantly, I possess a force field that I can activate to thwart that pesky hovering freak from grabbing parts of my car and scampering off. It’s like playing a tug-of-war game with my car. And here’s an actual quote from me the first time I saw a darn monster bouncing harmlessly off my shimmering energy shield: Hahaha! Take that! I adore this darn car.”
Kratos and his trusty ax in God of War: Ragnarok. Photo: Sony
I too felt this bond. The car was a sanctuary on Pacific Drive, but it also required attention, diligently tending to every scratch after each run and meticulously applying duct tape and Magic Repair resin to mend the wounds. It felt like it had a soul. Over time, quirks develop in your car, like the windshield wipers always going off when you open the car door, or the horn blaring at the wrong times. To rectify this, you must deduce the root of the problem through a simple engineering puzzle, or you can let it be. You get accustomed to the quirky horn.
I often experience this anthropomorphism of inanimate objects in games, particularly when it comes to vehicles. In Halo, I’d always try to stick with the same warthog throughout the levels, even when it was wildly impractical, driving it through alien bases teeming with zombie-like beings. It was my Warthog. Portal capitalizes on this notion when the malevolent AI GLaDOS bestows upon you the Weighted Companion Cube. I was compelled to carry it faithfully until it was incinerated as part of the game.
I also developed a fondness for specific weapons and outlandish armor in games like Monster Hunter to the point where I hesitated to part with them, even when superior alternatives were available. I distinctly recall forming a profound bond with Kratos’ axe in God of War and how it always returned to my grasp with a satisfying thud after being hurled. I would get exceedingly anxious, fearing I had forgotten to recall it and inadvertently abandoned it amidst the ruins. (Logically impossible, but the concern persisted nonetheless.)
This type of attachment is distinct from the emotional connection to video game characters, who, like all fictional characters, are typically crafted to evoke our sentiments. It’s more akin to the affection one might hold for their favorite mug or childhood bicycle. I presumed this idiosyncrasy was unique to me until I delved into other individuals’ encounters with Pacific Drive, only to discover that others, too, have cultivated a peculiar fixation with virtual cars. It’s both reassuring and engrossing to hear about.
Evidently, humans have been forging emotional connections with game elements since antiquity, so perhaps it’s not as eccentric as it initially appears.
Intuitive Machines is preparing to create history as the first private company to land on the moon following last week’s launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The Nova-C lander named Odysseus (affectionately nicknamed “Odie”) is scheduled to touch down at 5:30pm ET (10:30pm GMT) and everything is proceeding as planned. This will be the first instance of an American-led mission reaching the moon since the end of the Apollo program over 50 years ago.
The mission is part of NASA’s Artemis Commercial Lunar Payload Service (CLPS) initiative, aiming to return humans to the moon by the end of this decade, led by a private company.
Since NASA’s Apollo 11 landed in 1969, several countries including the former Soviet Union, China, India, and Japan have successfully placed equipment on the moon.
Today’s “space race” is different not only because more countries are involved but also due to the private sector having a central role on the forefront. It is now possible for an individual or company with sufficient funds to place something on the moon.
The mission includes all of NASA’s key experiments, with a total of six experiments collecting data critical to NASA’s crewed Artemis missions later this decade. This leaves room for additional unique additions.
1. Puffer jacket
Columbia Sportswear has developed a lining for the Omni-Heat Infinity Jacket, designed to keep explorers warm in harsh environments, to be used on the Odie during the mission to protect the lander’s equipment from extreme temperatures.
Image credit: Intuitive Machines
2. Photos for the gram
Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus challenged students back in 2019 to capture photos of the landing from a third-person perspective, leading to the creation of the EagleCam which is poised to capture snapshots of the lunar landing.
The EagleCam is the first third-person photo camera for a landing and also serves as the first moon landing project built by a college student, it also uses WiFi on the moon.
3. Miniature satellite
Renowned American artist Jeff Koons has created 125 stainless steel sculptures depicting the moon as seen from Earth, along with an array of scientific equipment to be placed on the moon.
4. (Almost) All Human Knowledge
The Arch Mission Foundation is sending a permanent archive of human information along with the lander, ensuring that human knowledge is safely stored for posterity.
According to Intuitive Machines, the repository includes archives like the Rosetta Project, Long Now Foundation content, Project Gutenberg content, and other cultural archive datasets, and an English version of Wikipedia.
5. A very stylish file cabinet
Lone Star Data Holdings has secured a location for the Independence data center within the IM-1 mission, allowing the safe storage and transmission of documents on the moon.
When can we see the moon landing?
Coverage of the Intuitive Machine’s moon landing can be followed live through NASA’s web services from 4pm ET (9pm GMT). Live videos and comments can be accessed through NASA TV, NASA+ streaming service, or the NASA app.
About our experts
Science writer and journalist Joel Renstrom and computer scientist and author Peter Bentley provided insights for this story.
The JuMBO 24 binary system resides in the Orion Nebula, a diffuse nebula located approximately 1,350 light-years away in the constellation Orion.
Free-floating Jupiter-mass binary objects are common, even if current stellar and planetary theory cannot explain their existence. Image credit: Gemini Observatory / Jon Lomberg.
Professor Luis Rodriguez of the National Autonomous University of Mexico and his colleagues said, “Near-infrared surveys of the interior of the Orion Nebula and the Trapezoid Cluster using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) revealed 40 Jupiter-mass binary objects (JuMBOs) and 2 triple objects. were detected.” .
“These systems are not associated with stars, their component masses range from 0.6 to 14 times the mass of Jupiter, and their distances in the plane of the sky range from 28 to 384 AU. It’s between.”
“The existence of these widespread binaries is surprising because our current knowledge of star and planet formation cannot explain them.”
Using NSF's Carl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA), astronomers searched for the equivalent of 40 JuMBOs.
Surprisingly, only one of these objects, JuMBO 24, displayed a radio.
The radio brightness of the two planetary mass objects in this system is significantly higher than that detected in the brown dwarf.
This anomaly raises new questions and provides exciting research opportunities to further understand the nature of these free-floating planets.
While it's possible that the link between the infrared and radio signals is a coincidence, the researchers believe this is extremely unlikely, only 1 in 10,000.
“What's really remarkable is that these objects may have moons similar to Europa and Enceladus, both of which have underground oceans of liquid water that can support life,” Professor Rodriguez said. Told.
“The detection of radio waves emanating from both components of a dual system of free-floating planets represents an important milestone in our space exploration.”
“It also provides an exciting opportunity for further research into the potential habitability of planets beyond our solar system.”
of study Published in Astrophysics Journal Letter.
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Luis F. Rodriguez other. 2024. The radio counterpart of the Jupiter-mass binary object in Orion. APJL 960, L14; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ad18ac
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